MASON Bennett is starting to show what he can bring to Derby County’s team, says first-team coach Paul Simpson.

The 17-year-old’s impact as a substitute in the last three games has earned him praise and keeps him knocking on the first-team door.

Bennett came off the bench in the defeats by Wigan Athletic, Chelsea and Leicester City.

“Mason was a threat against Wigan and against Chelsea when he was up against a top, top player in Ashley Cole,” said Simpson.

“And when Mason came on at Leicester on Friday he put two great balls in with his left foot and caused problems.

“In the last three games he has come on and made an impact.”

Simpson says Bennett’s chance to start will come but adds that the England Under-19 international will have to be patient.

The youngster’s one start this season was in the victory at Watford in October – he has been used as a substitute on 12 occasions.

“Mason is still very young, only 17, and it is fair to say we have used him quite a lot,” said Simpson.

“We started him at Watford because he came back from England duty and he was absolutely flying. We felt it was the right time to start him.

“Watford was a tough game for him, he did not have his best game.

“We then used him as a substitute in games and he made an impact but we probably introduced him a little bit early in the win at Wigan in December and he found that quite difficult to deal with, so he is still learning, still developing his game.

“He will get his chance. The difficulty is choosing the right moment.”